Introduction: Have you ever suffered for doing what was right? Peter, led by the Holy Spirit  warns his readers – including us today – suffering in the CHRISTian life can be expected. Jesus suffered. But when we suffer – not because of sin – but because of God’s will, then we need to be reminded that Jesus suffered for us. 

Here are three responses when we face suffering.

1.SANCTIFY Jesus in your TESTIMONY!

“15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Be ready to give a LOGICAL defense for what you believe…

Particularly, we have a special witnessing platform when we suffer. Some people will listen to how we are coping with the suffering. Therefore, we need to be ready to give a defense of what we believe.

2. SUFFER with Jesus through His MINISTRY!

“17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Peter 3:17-18)

CHRISTian Persecution is to be expected. Jesus set the example for us to follow concerning suffering. Does this give you a New Perspective on suffering?

3. SUBMIT to Jesus by leaving a lasting LEGACY!

“19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1Pet 3:19-22)

There are different interpretations on the passage in 1Pet 3:18-19… It is a very difficult passage…and due to limited space (needing more detail to explain the Greek texts), here is the short answer.

Views:

1. Jesus preached to the fallen angels (“spirits in prison”) who are described in Gen 6; i.e. “Sons of God” (Jude 6,7; 2Pet 2:4)
2. After Jesus died on the cross and before He was resurrected, He descended into hades to preach to those who were lost before the flood of Noah’s day – a second chance.? No scriptural evidence.
3. Another view is that Jesus proclaimed victory to all those in hades without offering a second chance. 
4. The view used by most conservative scholars seems to be that Jesus preached through Noah (preincarnate- preflood) to those during his day that rejected the message and are now referred to as “spirits in prison”.
5. Still another view is that Jesus’ announcement was to the offspring and the result of the co-habitation between angels and women. 

Because of His Victory over (vv 19-22) death, hell, sin, and the grave, and because He has gone to heaven, that means He has all AUTHORITY, and one day will come in GLORY!

Conclusion: Because suffering is in God’s eternal plan due to man’s sin, we can expect to suffer. But ultimately, Jesus endured the cross, overcame death, and arose on high so that we might identify in His suffering. 

In the future, we will experience His GLORY!

1. Pray through it!

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

2. Ponder (Think) through it!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)

3. Praise through it!

“5Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15)

4. Prepare through it!

“…the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord! 

5. Persevere through it!

“10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

Introduction: Recently, this Pastor was asked the question, “Does our Lord Jesus Redirect His will?” The answer is found in Acts 16. Paul, then a believer in the Lord Jesus, on his second missionary journey was being led by the Holy Spirit on his way to a certain place. Notice what happens.

1. See Paul Following the Will of God!

“6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia…” (Acts 16:6,7)

2. Watch Paul get Stopped by the Spirit of God!

“… but the Spirit suffered them not.” (Acts 16:7)

3. Check out how the Holy Spirit Redirected Paul’s steps by the Word of God!

“And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” (Acts 16:8,9)

4. How about the Blessings of God upon Paul after he was redirected by the Holy Spirit of God?

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” (Acts 16:10)

Besides that, the Church of Philippi was established.

“12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. “14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16:12-15)

If we are going to stay ENCOURAGED in these discouraging days we must realize and do the following:

Introduction: Inflation is rising. Gas prices, most groceries and even dog food is Skyrocketing! An interest rate adjustment by the Feds seems inevitable. The CBDC is developing a plan. China has already implemented a currency called the yuan or e- CNY. This enables the government to track transactions, and even control the economy in certain places in China. Therefore, according to financial advisors, some are concerned the U.S. needs to stay competitive with China and maintain the dollar’s leading role in the world financial system.

According to reports, more than 80% of central banks are looking at digital currencies. {Christine Lagarde [@lagarde] (16 April 2021). “Our work on a possible #digitaleuro continues” (Tweet) – via Twitter. “Will central-bank digital currencies break the banking system?”. The Economist. 5 December 2020. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 7 December 2020.}

As of Jan 20, 2022, the U.S. feds are considering this implementation of a digital currency. The Feds have asked the public to submit answers on 22 questions written in the report.

1. Will the Coming world financial “wiz” control the world’s wealth?

2. How could the Antichrist control the world under his government?

3. Who’s government will stand in the end?

“19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Rev 19:19.20)

Introduction: Who are the “souls under the altar”? What are they doing? Why would God allow them to be killed? Does the Lord answer their cry? When? How?

1. Who are these “souls under the altar”?

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” (Rev 6:9)

These are Martyred Missionaries….tribulation saints. Please do not confuse the word “saints” with the Church.

2. What are they doing?

“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:10)

The tribulation saints who have been martyred are crying out to Jesus and asking Him to pay back those who have harmed them.

The word “avenge” is ἐκδικέω (ek-dik-eh’-o), which means to vindicate, to give justice over, defend, avenge.

3. Why would God allow them to be killed?

“11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” (Rev 6:11)

4. When will “the souls under the altar” be avenged?

“4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Rev 20:4)

5. What does this mean to you and me today?

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood.” (Rev 6:9)

Introduction: How important is humility in the life of a CHRISTian? What does the Scripture teach concerning this subject? Are you a humble person? Do you need attention? How is humility developed in the life of a believer?

1. Peter learned & taught concerning HUMILITY!

“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Pet 5:6)

Do you know why God resists the PROUD? 

“God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Because the PROUD resists God.

What is humility?

The word is ταπεινοφροσύνη, (tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay), which means humility, lowliness of mind, modesty.

2. How do we HUMBLE ourselves under the mighty hand of God?

“6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1Pet 5:6)

When we come under God’s AUTHORITY, He lifts us up. We have a choice. Either we get mad, resentful, and develop a bad attitude or we submit and are broken at the cross of Christ. 

3. Pride is the opposite of Humility!

“God resisteth the proud.” (1 Pet 5:5)

The word “pride” is “ὑπερήφανος, (hoop-er-ay’-fan-os), which means showing oneself above others, proud, arrogant, disdainful.

Do you find yourself being prideful at times? Needing to be right, heard, or in charge is a good sign that we are leaning toward being prideful. Do we need to have a “spiritual checkup”?

Conclusion: At times, pride creeps in even the best of CHRISTians. But in the light of our Lord Jesus being humble (Phil 2:5-11), and Peter experiencing humility, it is in our best interest to take the low road of HUMILITY if we want to be blessed.

Confess it, and move on.

Introduction: Can you see the spiritual decline in America? In our communities? In our families? In our Churches? But why is there a decline? 

Paul writes to his son in the Lord, Timothy. Like reading the front page of a newspaper, He describes the (spiritual) downward trend of CHRISTIANITY that will become more and more prevalent in the end times.

“1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away….” (2Tim 3:1-7)

There appear to be at least (3) reasons for this spiritual decline.

1. An UNWILLINGNESS to come under Biblical Authority!

“5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2Tim 3:5)

A lack of submission will result in SELF being enthroned instead of Jesus Christ being enthroned.

2. An UNAWARENESS of the strategy of the Diabolical Enemy!

“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2Tim 3:3,4)

Get all you can, and satisfy yourself is the goal of the devil’s deception. Unfortunately, many are selling out to this satanic philosophy.

3. An UNCONCERN about one’s Eternal Destiny!

“2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” (2Tim 3:2)

In order to live holy we must deny ourselves and take up a cross daily.

1. Contentment is a PROCESS!

“11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil 4:11)

The word “content” is αὐτάρκης, (ow-tar’-kace), which means self-sufficient, contented, satisfied, independent.

In other words, Paul who is being led by the Holy Spirit after being converted on the road to Damascus is saying that he had learned that no matter his circumstances, he found satisfaction. How could he do that after being beaten with rods, stoned, and shipwrecked?

The answer is because he had learned to submit his life to the will of Jesus Christ.

His focus was clear.
His goals were established.
His mind was made up.
His destiny was secure.
His identity was rooted.
His purpose was preordained.

2. Contentment is a CHOICE!

“The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:5-11)

3. Contentment is a LIFESTYLE!

“11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:11 -13)

With Jesus on the throne, the Holy Spirit overshadowing, and the GOOD Hand of the FATHER on his life, Paul had confidence he would be able to OVERCOME.

Conclusion: Far too many CHRISTians are living in RESENTMENT instead of CONTENTMENT. Why? Because of the responses to life as discussed in this devotion. Would you take a brief moment to reread this? Then ask yourself, “How does this apply to me?”

Hopefully, after some meditation and application we too can say, “I have learned to be content.”

JESUS is greater, higher, mightier, stronger, and wiser than all of us.

He is above all CREATION!
He is in charge of every SITUATION!
He is the God of our SALVATION!

So often today, what is coined WORSHIP is just mere ENTERTAINMENT. Perhaps entertainment has its place in our life but please do not CONFUSE the two. ENTERTAINMENT is not WORSHIP.

Or worse, what some call WORSHIP today is nothing more than a show of the FLESH… focused on personalities and performances (got to have the right stage, lights, sounds – much like a rock in roll/or country concert, etc.).

Think with me a moment about WORSHIP:

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:17)

1. Our object of WORSHIP should be JESUS not singers or people!

2. Our mode of WORSHIP ought to be BIBLICALLY based!

3. Our motive for WORSHIP ought to be for the purpose of glorifying JESUS not SELF!

4. Our goal in WORSHIP ought to be to get in His presence and be transformed because of His glory!

5. Our lives ought to be practicing daily WORSHIP with our Lord and corporate WORSHIP on Sunday.

6. Our relationships ought to be impacted because of our WORSHIP!

Conclusion: If our WORSHIP does not make us fall in LOVE with JESUS more, then it must not be true WORSHIP. Besides that, if our WORSHIP does not get down into moving our stubborn will to the point of OBEYING the WORD of GOD, it must not be biblical WORSHIP.